• Thermodynamics: Our group works on determining thermodynamic properties of Salt-Water systems. This has tremendous applications in sectors like Oil and Gas (hydrofracking), Desalination and Blue Energy. We develop detailed understanding of Salt-Water interactions and develop engineering correlations for utilization in designing processes. (please read our work in I&EC research)

• Water – Energy Nexus: Our group works on problems related to the connection between energy and water and develop solutions (technologies and processes) keeping in consideration the holistic perspective. The group has expertise in membranes, hydrodynamic cavitation, ozonation, adsorption. We try to develop energy efficient technologies and benchmark against thermodynamic minimum energy to improve process design for Zero Liquid Discharge, Desalination and Salinity Gradient Power generation. (please read our work in Chemical Engg Journal 1, Chemical Engg Journal 2, Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, Environmental Engineering Science, IWA-Water Supply).   

We also work on developing Artificial Intelligence - Machine Learning based frameworks for process design and material synthesis which includes extensive data mining, data analysis and sorting as well as developing Deep Learning networks coupled with Image processing for understanding Chemical Engineering processes like Gas-Liquid contactors, Blue Energy harvesting and Catalyst Design. (please read our work : Energy Conversion and Management)

• Biomedical Devices: The research on biomedical devices is carried out under the aegies of ESSIL (Epione Swajal Solutions India LLP) a startup founded by us. ESSIL belongs to the Trumed group (Ideation centre, headquarter in Chennai), the R&D is carried out at ESSIL, Goa and the Technology Demonstration Centre (small scale manufacturing) is at Cherthala Kerala. Currently, ESSIL is involved in developing membrane oxygenators and hemoconcentrators (Hcon for cardio pulmonary bypass surgery). We carry out numerical simulations (using COMSOL / ANSYS) to develop models and understand transport (oxygen transfer to blood, water transport through membranes from blood for Hcon) and develop optimum cartridge designs for translating into indigenous products.